Six other former military officers and one civilian were convicted with Menendez [EPA]

Luciano Benjamin Menendez, 81, was the controller of one of Argentina's most notorious torture centre's during the military government's rule from 1976-83.

Menendez, who was already under house arrest for previous convictions related to the "dirty war" against opposition activists by the military government, is set to be jailed following Thursday's conviction.

Hundreds of people who had gathered outside the court - many holding placards and pictures of alleged victims - celebrated after hearing the verdict.

'Appropriate measures'

Menendez had earlier read a prepared statement in which he justified the military's actions as necessary in the face of a threat by left-wing activists.

"We had to take appropriate measures," he said.

The verdict is seen as significant because of Menendez's gruesome reputation and because he was ordered to serve the rest of his sentence in prison.

Many convicted former military officers are serving their sentences under house arrest, under an Argentinian law that applies to those over 70 or in poor health.

Six other former military officers and one civilian were also convicted on Thursday and given sentences ranging from 18 years to life.

The four victims, Hilda Palacios, Humberto Brandalisis, Carlos Lajas and Raul Cardozo, were kidnapped in 1977.

According to prosecutors, they were taken to the prison and torture centre known as La Perla, which was run by the Third Army Corps, commanded by Menendez, and killed the next month.

Their bodies were then dropped in the street to make it seem as if they had been killed in a gun battle.

Palacios was found in 2004 in a local cemetery. The bodies of the others have not been found.

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